DIY Stitch Marker

Just a quick post.

If I can make something or make do instead of buying something I will... So for stitch markers I was using sandwich bag ties believe it or not ( the only thing I could find at the time) but these are pretty annoying to use as they catch on the yarn when your trying to put them through the stitch. So I had a think about what else I could use. Extra bits of yarn work but I crochet very tightly when making amigurumi figures so I had to find a needle, thread a needle, use the needle to get the thread in the stitch and then tie the yarn in place.....effort. Oh and then try to untie the yarn after it's managed to tighten itself up!

I decided to try and make one out of craft wire. Be aware it's only a rough version.

This is so simple to make and uses a tiny amount of wire. All I used was 20ga purple wire and a pair of pliers. I folded the very end of the wire over so that it wasn't sharp then wrap the wire around the pliers in a very rough spiral shape (it doesn't need to be perfect as long as it works and stays in place). I made sure to fold the very end of the wire over in towards the spiral so that it wasn't sharp. This also helps a smooth and easy placement into the stitch. Complete.

I'm using it to make my second Dalek I find it really easy to use, a lot better than sandwich bag ties and spare yarn... And it hasn't fallen out whilst I've been crocheting yet. 

Turkey- Olu Deniz

Just been away for ten days in Turkey, great weather and plenty to do, it was amazing. I managed 10 days with no phone and no crafting!

This is Olu Deniz beach:

The weather was awesome even though it was October it was above 30 degrees during the day. the other half and me did a jeep safari which included seeing the ruins of Tlos, a mud bath and a fish farm. We went on two boat rides to visit different beaches and enjoyed a bonfire on the beach with traditional Turkish dancing. Went snorkelling nearly every day, there was plenty of life near the rocks on the beach and on the boat trips. 

We are both qualified skuba divers so we went skuba diving. It was our first dive from a boat, in the sea and in a different country, three in one! The water was so clear! I've heard Turkey isn't that great for skuba diving so I didn't have my hopes up for much but I loved it sooo many fish and life that I've not seen in person before. We saw a turtle too in the 'Blue Lagoon' apparently there is only two turtles in there so lucky us :). 

Food was great and not too expensive, Oh and don't forget the cocktails: 

Back to crafting soon.